To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 11:59:47 -0500
From: jmwyrd-AT-aol.com
Subject: [Puptcrit] Punch building


 Hello all,
 
 I've lurked for a while here, coming out of hiding now and again when I really feel I can contribute something. Anyway, I'm looking into building a Punch and Judy show. I have made a prototype Punch and have some good ideas for how to build the body and hands, but I'm having trouble with the head. The prototype I built was modeled in oil-based clay and then I used plaster strips (like the stuff they used to make casts for broken bones out of) over the clay to make the form. Then just plucked out the clay (well, most of it. I made the nose too deep and some is still in there with no way for me to get it out, but that's no big deal). Well, the face looks great, I used acrylic paint on the dried plaster with a clear coat over it all, and it was looking good. A little rough, but that doesn't bother me. Anyway, I then let my 2 year old son play with Mr. Punch for the last few months to see how he'd hold up. 
 
 The result: The body is fine, the hands are in good shape (they're rather simple and carved out of oak), but the paint is chipping off of the head. Mostly off of the tip of the nose, but otherwise it's held up really well. 
 So my question really is this. Aside from carving out of wood (which I'm not too great at) is there a good, strong way to make the heads that will take the beating of a regular Punch show, and not have the paint chip? Is there a better clear-coat to use? A better material?
 
 The only other problem I have is that because the head was just over clay, it's totally hollow. Is there a better way to put something inside the head for better control? As it is, I use the two fingers inside the head and two for the arm (thumb for the other arm) method, and inside the head I can wiggle my fingers around quite a bit, and the head tends to pivot if I turn him to quickly. I think this is partly because the head is loose on my fingers, and because the nose is weighted with clay. Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. And I think it may go without saying, but I'll say it anyway... Cost IS an issue, as I am just starting out. 
 
 Thanks in advance,
 Jeff
  
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